Under duress, the state administration decided to launch a judicial investigation under the Commission of Inquiry Act into the events of August 13, when former Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council leader Cheristerfield Thangkhiew was murdered by police at his home. The decision of the state Cabinet comes a day after the sporadic incidents of stone-pelting and arson in Shillong.

The citizens, who expressed their anger over the manner in which Thangkhiew was killed, wanted the state government to order a judicial inquiry to find out the truth behind the alleged encounter.

Conrad K Sangma, the Chief Minister, informed reporters on Monday that the Cabinet also agreed to form a Peace Committee, which would be led by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong. Its members will be Cabinet Ministers Hamletson Dohling and Renikton Tongkhar Lyngdoh.
Other representatives of civil society, including religious organizations and other stakeholders, shall be co-opted by the Committee.

Keeping in mind the prevailing situation in Shillong, the government extended the curfew till 5 am of Wednesday. Similarly, the 48-hour ban on mobile internet/data services was extended by another 24 hours.

According to Sangma, the Cabinet also decided to constitute a sub-committee to oversee security and law and order. It will be headed by the CM, the Deputy CM and the Home Minister. The committee will look into the different aspects of law and order.
Sangma spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and apprised the latter of the prevailing situation. The state government sought five additional companies of central forces, including three from CRPF and two from BSF, for deployment in the city. Shah assured the state of full cooperation to contain the situation.

The CM urged people to have faith in the judicial investigation, assuring them that the government will take appropriate measures based on the findings. The identities of those who would undertake the investigation have not yet been determined by the government.

Commenting on the police operation that led to Thangkhiew’s death, Sangma said these are technically-complex operations and that police operations always do not go according to plan. He reiterated that there was no intention to harm anybody but the operation did not go as planned.

Defending the police, the Chief Minister said issues pertaining to law and order have been there even before the Mawlai incident. He said the police had in the past worked to resolve the issues such as the incident of stabbing in Bara Bazar besides the Ichamati incident.
He said the police department in the past had resolved many complicated issues but the public never give them the credit.

“We had solid intelligence, and there was a lot of public outrage following the Laitumkhrah incident. The cops then got intelligence regarding another explosion. If the police had not intervened, the public would have concluded that we had not intervened,” the CM stated.
Sangma condemned the hurling of petrol bombs at his home and promised that the government will track down those responsible.

While conceding that the restriction on mobile internet would be inconvenient for students, the Chief Minister defended it by stating that the law and order situation was a higher priority for the government at this time.

“They (students) will have some concerns about it but it is really unavoidable at this time. The government will have to keep law and order as priority at this time,” he added.